Photo: Alber · Public domain
Born in Belgium · Nationality Belgian — Rex / fascism / collaboration / Waffen-SS / high treason / Holocaust denial
Documented profile covering 17 controversies, including “Post-war: Pro-Nazi publications, revision of his role and Holocaust denial” and “1985–1991: Holocaust-denialist remarks targeting victims and Spanish Constitutional Court's Friedman judgment”.
Profile No. 2086 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
années 1950–1994
From Spain, Degrelle published numerous pro-Nazi texts, glorified his own past in the Waffen-SS and publicly denied the Holocaust.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1985–11 November 1991
In an interview published in 1985, Degrelle denied the existence of gas chambers and attacked the credibility of survivors. Auschwitz survivor Violeta Friedman brought proceedings; in 1991, the Spanish Constitutional Court recognised her standing and the protection of her right to honour against such remarks.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1954
Degrelle acquired Spanish nationality in 1954, strengthening his legal and political protection against being handed over to Belgium, where his death sentence remained outstanding.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
Case · 8 documented stages
May 1945–années 1950
At the end of the Reich, Degrelle flew to Franco's Spain. Despite Belgian requests, he was not handed over to Belgium and was able to remain in Spain.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
August 1941–1944
Degrelle himself enlisted in the Walloon Legion, fought on the Eastern Front and rose through the ranks to become a prominent figure in the Walloon Waffen-SS.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1941–May 1944
His trial record cited recruitment campaigns for the Walloon Legion, including in Belgium and prisoner-of-war camps, as well as promises made to Walloon workers to encourage them to enlist.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1943–1944
The Walloon Legion was incorporated into the Waffen-SS, and Degrelle became one of its most visible leaders, celebrated by Nazi propaganda following fighting on the Eastern Front.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
27 December 1944
Belgian military justice sentenced Degrelle to death by firing squad in absentia. The charges concerned, among other things, taking up arms against Belgium, providing military assistance to the enemy, recruitment and political collaboration with National Socialism.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
17 January 1943
Degrelle publicly proclaimed the "Germanic character" of the Walloons, presenting Wallonia's future as inseparable from the Germanic community and Reich-dominated Europe.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1940–1941
During the Occupation, Degrelle intensified his antisemitic propaganda while Rexist activists participated in violence and persecution campaigns against Jews.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
May 1941
Rex and the VNV concluded an agreement delimiting their spheres of influence. During post-war proceedings, the agreement was presented as contributing to the dismantling of Belgian institutions for the benefit of the occupier.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1938–May 1940
On the eve of war, Rex became markedly more radical: a cult of leadership, authoritarianism, xenophobia and antisemitism became increasingly prominent in its rhetoric and press.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
10 May–30 July 1940
The Belgian government ordered Degrelle's arrest on 10 May 1940; transferred to France, he was detained until intervention by German ambassador Otto Abetz facilitated his return to Brussels after the defeat.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
July–December 1940
On returning to occupied Belgium, Degrelle revived Rex and sought to make himself indispensable to the new order, approaching both Belgian notables and German intermediaries.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1936–1937
In seeking international support, Degrelle established contacts and obtained limited financial assistance from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
April 1937
During the Brussels by-election, the Belgian Catholic Church condemned support for Rex, and Degrelle suffered a heavy defeat against Paul Van Zeeland, marking the beginning of the movement's electoral decline.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1935–1936
Degrelle transformed his Catholic publishing movement Rex into a populist authoritarian political organisation; in the 1936 elections, Rex achieved a major breakthrough and won 21 seats in the Chamber.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.
Following the invasion of the USSR, Degrelle fully embraced the "anti-Bolshevik crusade", participated in forming the Walloon Legion and made it an instrument of military collaboration.
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